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Rethinking the Geography of Power
Townhall.com ^ | February 1, 2018 | Victor Davis Hanson

Posted on 01/31/2018 11:06:46 PM PST by Kaslin

Where the seats of power are located matters. Given the populist revolt in the United States and Europe against the so-called "global elite," it is time to refigure the geography of governmental and transnational power.

Take the United Nations. Much of the international body's perceived negatives derive from being in the world's richest and most visible city, New York. But what if U.N. elites did not have easy access to instant television exposure, tony Manhattan digs, and who's-who networking?

Most of the world is non-Western. Many Western elites are apologetic over past sins of imperialism and colonialism.

So why not move the United Nations to Haiti, Libya or Uganda? The transference would do wonders for any underdeveloped country, financially, culturally or psychologically. U.N. officials without easy access to Westernized media and the high life might instead have more time to concentrate on global problems such as hunger, disease and violence -- and be personally enmeshed in the dangers they address.

Given the controversy over President Trump's supposed disparagements of such countries as "s---holes," having an underdeveloped nation host the United Nations could refute such stereotyping. Relocating the U.N. to a capital such as Port-au-Prince, Tripoli or Kampala would prove that such places are unduly underappreciated and surprisingly wonderful cities from which to conduct international governance.

Liberals treasure the United Nations. Conservatives don't trust its often anti-democratic and anti-American tenor. So why not split the difference by staying in the United Nations but, after 66 years of a New York headquarters, finally allowing another country a chance at hosting the U.N.?

(Excerpt) Read more at townhall.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: power; unitednations; uselessnations

1 posted on 01/31/2018 11:06:46 PM PST by Kaslin
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To: aposiopetic; bestintxas; Bodega; BroJoeK; carolinablonde; COBOL2Java; DuncanWaring; EXCH54FE; ...

Victor Davis Hanson Column


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2 posted on 01/31/2018 11:07:47 PM PST by Kaslin (Politicians are not born; they are excreted -Civilibus nati sunt; sunt excernitur. (Cicero)
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To: Kaslin

Just defund the UN completely. AirBnB could probably come up with decent accommodations for the $#!thole diplomats in many diverse $#!tholes.


3 posted on 01/31/2018 11:24:15 PM PST by rfp1234 (I have already previewed this composition.)
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To: rfp1234

Having known some US “diplomats” and their kids, I think this idea of relocation and disinvolvment is stellar.
It is time to find ourselves a new venue for discourse with other countries and their needs.

It is clear no one in the world “needs” our ideas and philosophies so why play the UN Game?

I’ve been saying it for years, get out and raze it to the ground (or make it a huge apartment for those who need housing).


4 posted on 02/01/2018 2:07:24 AM PST by Bodega (we are developing less and less common sense...world wide)
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To: Bodega
I just want to be on the team that sweeps the UN building to see what eavesdropping technology is buried in the walls.

Probably the best way to learn new and exciting things about foreign governments and spying.

5 posted on 02/01/2018 5:23:33 AM PST by texas booster (Join FreeRepublic's Folding@Home team (Team # 36120) Cure Alzheimer's!)
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To: texas booster

Moving the capitol, or at least some departments, has been discussed on this forum more than once. I’ve even suggested moving Congressional sessions from one city to the next.


6 posted on 02/01/2018 5:29:28 AM PST by DIRTYSECRET (urope. Why do they put up with this.)
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To: Kaslin

Great article! Makes perfect sense.

In days gone by, centralization was a necessity. With modern communication and transportation, that is no longer the case.


7 posted on 02/01/2018 8:00:06 AM PST by Walrus (Those who work should eat better than those who don't)
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